Correlation between Buruli Ulcer Incidence and Vectorborne Diseases, Southeastern Australia, 2000-2020

Abstract

Researchers have hypothesized that mosquitoes are vectors involved in Mycobacterium ulcerans transmission. Previous findings of a correlation between incidence of M. ulcerans, which causes Buruli ulcer, and locally acquired vectorborne diseases in southeastern Australia further strengthened this argument. However, our updated data indicate that this correlation has not continued beyond 2008.

Keywords: Australia; Buruli ulcer; Mycobacterium ulcerans; bacteria; transmission; vector-borne infections.

Figure

Incidence (cases/100,000 population) of Buruli ulcer compared with that of other notifiable diseases in Victoria, Australia, during 2000–2020. Victoria is located in southeastern Australia. “Other diseases" on left y-axis indicates TB, legionellosis, and RRV and BFV incidence combined. The shaded area (2002–2008) denotes a period when Buruli ulcer incidence correlated with RRV/BFV incidence (3). In Australia, these infections are notifiable and incidence rates are publicly available (8). BFV, Barmah Forest; RRV, Ross River virus; TB, tuberculosis.